Black Psychiatrists and American Psychiatry

Book excerpt: Presenting a vivid historical account of the contributions that black psychiatrists have made to American psychiatry, this important book documents the growth and influence of the group in tandem with the advancement of the field as a whole. It provides us with a deep appreciation for what these pioneers accomplished and the hurdles they overcame. Spurlock and the book's many distinguished contributors provide an overview of the history spanning generations and various areas of psychiatry. This volume documents early and contemporary pioneers and their contributions to modern psychiatry. Surveys of black psychiatrists in academia, child psychiatry, psychiatric research, forensic psychiatry, and psychoanalysis provide an enlightening view of their experiences. From a collection of descriptive essays, readers can step into the shoes of several pioneers and experience how they lived. These personal reflections provide enormous insight into the history of American psychiatry. Finally, the book addresses current mental health issues affecting African Americans as well as the barriers black psychiatrists face and the coping mechanisms they use. This work should be of particular interest to psychiatry students or residents and to anyone interested in the history of American psychiatry. It discusses the widening opportunities for professional growth for black psychiatrists and the important place black psychiatrists have reached in the present mental health arena.